Clamping device



Nov. 25, 1930. F. OUDIN ET m. 1,782,438

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed A ril 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 40 25 //1r/7f0/1$ /6 Ferd/Hana 0007/1 53 6/70/1701 /7. 5/021/19/ Nov. 25, 1930. F. OUDIN ET AL CLAMPING DEVICE Filed April 50. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 25,1930

other. i

The invention has for its theinvention, the bifurcated V videdwith internalfor external edge teeth for UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v Application filed April 30,

e This invention relates to clamping devices, and more particularly to devices for fasten-' ing strands or principal object and readily adsimple and ecothe provision of improved Justable clamping devices of other.

' In accordance with theabove object, the

invention contemplates the provision of improved cable clamping devices consistingof flat metal strip material formed into three sided loop bifurcated ends for engaging a balsemember or a previously in stalledclamping device to attach the enclosed group of cables/to a support or to a previously installed group of cables.- In one form of ends are proselective engagement by the" edges of slots form, the bifurcated ends {and to eachother by vention,

formed in a base member or a previously installed clamping device to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables, while in another single outwardly extending projections for selectively engaging a plurality of transverse slots formed in a turned over pocket .portion of a base member or previously installed clamping device.

A more complete understanding of the 111- vention will be had from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying i Fig.

drawings, wherein ;1 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section, of a-group of cables shown attached to a supporting framework means of several different forms of clamping devices embodying the Fig. 2 is anenlarged transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 33of Fig. 1 showing'a group "of cables clamped together bymeansof a pair ofclamping devices embodying the incables to supports and toeach supporting framework.

1 and 2, the cablesupporting framework-may members for surrounding groups of cables and having tudinal axes parallel to e p I at right angles tothe cross channels16. It

attached to suitable base fastened to the preceding are'provided with 1929. serial No. 359,341.

Fig. 4 is'an enlarged perspective view of the clamping devices shownin Fig. 3,

Figs. 5, 6 and Tare enlarged perspective views of the several forms ofthe improved clamping devices, and r Fig; 8 is an enlarged section taken on line 8-8 of'Fig. 7.

Clamping devices embodying the features of the invention maybe employed to advantage in telephone ing the cables ofelectrical conductors interconnecting the electrical apparatus, to a consist of a pair of spaced parallel bars or stringers 15 interconnected by a plurality of tachedtothe fraineworlcwith their longithe stringers 15qand will be observed thatthe clamping devices supporting the first few layers of cables are secured at predetermined positions along the channels 16. Additional layers of cables are clamping devices which are attached to the devices supporting the preceding layers.

In the drawings,

exchanges for attachseveral alternative forms of the mprovedclamping device are shown As shownin Figs.-

membersor clamps layers by means of and are designated, generally, by the reference numerals 18 20 and 22. Although'the several forms differsomewhat in construe" tion and design, it Willfbe" understood that the general features and characteristics thereof are substantially the same. Each of the several forms consists,

strip material, preferably resilient sheet metal, formed into a three sided or substantially U-sha'ped "orlegs of which are bifurcated and formed member, the bent over ends adjustably engaging a simi base clamp to with meansfor lar member or essentially, of flat,

attache p'lu' rality ofindividualcahles or groups of. cables toeach other or to a supportingframework.

' Theclamping device18, as best shown Fig. 5, comprises a horizontal portion 23 interconnecting a pair of vertical bent over end portions, each of which. is bifurcated to provide a pair of spaced legs 24, 2st having reduced extremities 25, 25. The horizontal portion 23 is slotted at each end as indicated at 27 for the purpose of lending flexibility to the vertical 24. Spaced transverse slots 28, 28 are provided at the ends of the horizontal portion 23 of the clamping device 18 for accommodating the reduced vertical extremities 25 of a cooperating similar device. The reduced extremities 25 of each clamping device are provided on their inside edges with a series of spaced projections or teeth 29 for selective engagement by the edges of the transverse slots 28 in the horizontal portion 23 of a cooperating similar device to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables. The horizontal portion 23 is provided with longitudinally extending depressed beads or ribs 30, 30 which become embedded in the cables when the device is clamped in position, thereby preventing longitudinal displacement of the cables. The ribs 30 also serve to stiffen the horizontal portion 23 of the clamping device.

hen employing the clamping devices 18 for attaching a run or group of cables 32 (Fig. 1) to a supporting framework, the clamping devices enclosing the first layers of cables are attached to suitable base clamps adapted to be secured to the fran'iework, as hereinbefore described. As shown in 1 and 2, the clamping devices 18 enclosing the first three layers of cables 32 are attached to base clamps 34, 34 secured to the cross channels 16. The base clamp 34 may consist of fiat strip material, preferably sheet metal, formed into a three sided loop for enga ing the web and sides of the channel, and having one end thereof bent inwardly as indicated at 35 5) for engaging the lower edge of a flange or side of the channel. The other side of the loop normally extends straight outwardly and is adapted to be bent inwardly and around the lower edge of the opposite sine or flange of the. channel, as shown in Fig. 1. The top or horizontal portion of the base clamp is formed with an upwardly extending portion 37 terminating in an inverted U-shaped channel portion 38 having spaced slots 39, 39 for accommodating the vertical extremities 25 of a clamping device 18. The inner edges of the slots 39 are adapted to selectively engage the edge teeth 29 of the vertical extremities 25 to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables. This vertical adjustability also provides a simple and efficient means for accommodating slight variations in the dimensions of similar types or sizes of cables, such as may be caused by slight variations in the sizes of the composite conductors or by other variations encountered in commercial manufacturing conditions. Furthermore, .the clamping devices automatically adjust themselves to dimensional variations of the cables resulting from the compressing force of superimposed layers of cables.

In attaching a run or group of cables to a supporting framework, a pair of base clamps 34 are first clamped at predetermined positions along each or certain of the cross channels 16 and the cables are then arranged in horizontal. layers along the cross channels in the spaces defined by the base clamps. Clamping devices 18 are then placed around the cables and are pressed downwardly to firmly clamp the cables to the channels 16, the toothed extremities 25 of the clamping de vices extending into the slots 39 of the base clamps and automatically becoming interlocked therewith by the engagement of the inner edges of the slots with the teeth 29, as hereinbefore described. In a similar manner, additional cables or groups of cables may be attached to the supporting framework by means of additional base clamps 34. secured to the channels 16 at predetermined positions spaced from the preceding base clamps. Also, when desired, additional layers or groups of cables may be superimposed upon previously installed groups thereof and may be readily and securely attached thereto by means of clamping devices 18 adapted to interlock with previously installed clamping devices.

It will be noted that the slots 28 of the clamping devices 18 and the slots 39 of the base clamps 34. are of suliicient width to accommodate the reduced extremities 25 of two clamping devices positioned side by side whereby the clamping devices enclosing adjacent groups of cables may be readily and conveniently interlocked. This construction permits the interlocking, when desired, of adjacent. groups of cables, as shown in Fig. 2. It is to be understood, of course, that the improved clamping devices may be made in various lengths and that the vertical end portions 25 thereof may be cut to any convenient lengths to accommodate various numbers and sizes of cables.

When attaching a plurality of cables to a supporting framework it is sometimes desirable to interlock the cables at positions where it is inconvenient to attach them to the framework. Thus, for example, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, it may be desirable to interlock the individual cables or groups of cables at a point intermediate the cross channels '16. This may be readily and conveniently accomplished by means of clamping devices embodying the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of cables 32 are enclosed within a pair of cooperating oppositely disposed clamping devices 18, one of which is disposed in an inverted position with its reduced extremities severed therefrom," indicated at 40. The clamping devices arethen pressed toward each other to sea curely clamp theenclosed cables .toea Ch other, the toothed extremities 25 of the upper clamping device extending into'the slots 28 of the inverted or lower clamping device and automatically becoming interlocked wardly as indicated at edges of the flanges of the channel.

therewith in the manner hereinbefore described. The projecting ends of the reduced extremities25 of the, upper clamping device are bent over the horizontalportion of the lo'werclamping device, as indicated at 41 (Figs. 3 and 4). If desired,clamping de-' vices enclosing additional cables or groups of cables may be attached to the clamping devices enclosing previously groups of cables. In this manner the individualcables. or groups of cables may be securely'interlocked at positions where it is inconvenient to attach them to the supporting framework.

. The clamping device 20, shown in perspective in Fig. 6, is similar to the clamping device 18 in that it also comprises a flat horia pair of vertical bent over end portions, each of which zontal portion 43 interconnecting is bifurcatedto provide a pair of spaced legs 44, 44 having reduced extremities 45, 45. A transverse slot 47 is provided at each end of the horizontal portion 43 for accommodating the reducedrvertical extremities 45 of a cooperating clampingdevice. The reduced extremities 45 are provided on their outside edges with a series of proiections or teeth 49 for selective engagement by the edges of the slots 47 of a cooperating clamping device to provide vertical adjustment for accommo dating various numbers and sizes of cables.

A base clamp 50 (Fig. 6) similar to the base clamp 34, may be employed with. the clamping device 20 for attaching the first layers of cables to a supporting framework. The

. base clamp 50 may consist of flat resilient the slot are adapted to selectively engage the edge teeth 49 ofthe vertical extremities 45 to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables. 7

An alternative. form .of clamping device embodying the features of the invention is illustrated in perspectivein Fig. 7 and is designated,

supported clamping device layers of cables to asupporting framework. The base clamp 67 mayconsist of flat resilient sheet metal stantially flat engaging the edges :1 vertical portion generally, by the reference nu meral 22. Thisform of clamping device comprisesa flat horizontal portion 58 interconnecting a pair of vertical bent over end portions each of which is bifurcated to pro vlde a pair .ofspaced legs 60, 60 having:

tapered end portions 61,61. Transverse portions extending from opposite sides of the legs 60 are bent over to form a pocket 62 for accommodating the extremities 61 of a t The GXbIQlHl-g cooperating clamping device. ties 61 areeach provided with an outwardly extending slots to provide vertical adjustment for acco1nmodating various numbers and sizes of cables.

A baseclamp 67 may be employed with the 22 for attaching the first formed into a loop for surroundlng a portion of the fr'amework and havingupwardly extending portions formed mto openpockets 69, 69 for accommodating he endp'ortions 61of a'clamping device 22. l he-pockets 69 areprovidedwith a series of spaced transverse slots 70, for selective engagement by the toothed extremities 64to provide vertical adjustment.

It isobviousthateach of the several alter native forms ofc'lamping devices herein disprojection or tooth 64 for selectively engaging a series of spaced transverse 65, formed in opposite sides of the pocket 62 of a cooperating clamping device closed may be employed asdescribed'above in connection with the clamping devicef18 i and securely attaching various? forreaclily numbers and slze's of cables to a supporting framework and to eachotheri invention herein illustrated and described merely represent several useful forms of the lnvent on 11101115 ca able of numerous other applications within t 1e scope of the append ed. claims. lVhat 1S cl aimed 1s 1. A clamping device con'iprising a subportion terminating in a b1- furcated portion formed with a tooth means on a longitudinaledge thereofifor adjustably.

of a support. A clamp ng zontal portion havinga transverse slot, and

thereof and lying within the planelof said portion for ad ustable interlocking engagement with an edge of *a slotin a, cooperating member to provide anadjnstable enclosure.

device comprising a horiv v v It is tobe understood, also, that the embodiments of the having a tootlron an edge 3. A cable clamping. device .consisting'of flat strip materialformed into athree sided loop member havin' toothed means projectingffroma, longitudinal edge ofa side por- 1.?

tlon thereof. and lying within the plane of said portion foradjustable interlocking engagement with an edge portion of a second member and a'cooperatmg ,wrththe second .member toienclos-e a cable. 1

4, A cable clamping device consisting of flat resilient material formed into athree sided loop for enclosing a plurality of cables, and terminating in a bifurcated portion formed with toothed means for adjustably engaging the edge of a slot in a cooperating similar member terminating in a bifurcated portion to accommodate various numbers and sizes of cables.

5. A cable clampino device comprising a substantially U-shapec member for enclosing a cable, and having bifurcated ends for adjustable interlocking engagement with a base member carried b a support to attach the enclosed cable to t 1e support.

6. A cable clamping device comprising a. substantially U-shaped member having a toothed bifurcated end portion for engagement with a support, and provided with transverse slots for engaging a tooth of the bifurcated end portion of a similar U-shaped member.

7. In a device for attaching a strand to a supporting channel, a base clamp attachable to the channeh and a member having a flat strand engaging portion terminating in a right angle portion for adjustably engaging the base clamp to accommodate various sizes of strands. i

8. A clamping device consisting ofrcsilient sheet material formed into a three sided loop member comprising a horizontal portion interconnecting a pair of bifurcated vertical portions, the horizontal portion having spaced transverse slots and the vertical portions terminating in reduced extremities formed with means for interlocking engagement with the transverse slots of another member.

9. A cable clamping device comprising a three sided loop member consisting of a horizontal portion interconnecting a pair of hifurcated vertical portions terminating in reduced extremities provided with a plurality of spaced projections, the horizontal portion having slots for accommodating the reduced extremities of a second similar cooperating member in such manner that the edges of the slots of the first member selectively engage the spaced projections on the reduced extremities of the second member to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cable.

1.0. A cable clamping device comprising a three sided loop member consisting. of a horizontal portion interconnecting a pair of furcated vertical portions terminating in, reduced extremities provided with a plurality of spaced internally projecting edge teeth, the horizontal portion having spaced transverse slots for accommodating the reduced extremities of a second member in such manner that the edges of the slot of the first member selectively engage the internally projecting teeth on the reduced extremities of the second member to provide vertical adjustment.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 19th day of April A. D., 1929. FERDINAND OUDIN.

BENJAMIN HARVEY SKINNER. 

